Israel: History

The fruit of the vine was economically important in the Holy Land and was designated one of the seven blessed species of fruit specified in the book of Deuteronomy (see bible). The dangers of immoderate wine consumption were fully recognized, and excess strictly forbidden. Vine-growing continued under Christian rule, even the spread of islam as by no means all Muslims were abstainers. Wine production was furthered under the influence of the Crusaders between 1100 and 1300 and then by the Jewish influx after the Spanish Inquisition.